We’re looking for a crew of passionate literacy champions to help increase literacy in Chicago.

Are you a literacy champion who wants to come up with innovative solutions for increasing literacy in Chicago? Be a part of the CLA team for a semester and participate in our fun, collaborative, and inclusive work at the world’s first Disneyland for word nerds, Literacenter!

CLA internships are project-focused and intern-learning driven. Interns decide how they can best contribute to our work based on their talents and interests. All that we require is a love of literacy.

Applications for the summer semester are open. The internship will run from June 11 – August 24, 2018.

Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis. For our 2018 summer internship opportunity, please apply by May 4, 2018 to be considered in our first round of interviews.

WHAT KIND OF PERSON WOULD BE A GOOD FIT FOR THIS ROLE?

Essential qualities: Professional, responsible, oodles of creativity, and someone who knows how to be a conscientious, friendly, and kind community member.

Student, young professional, or career transition candidate with a passion for working with literacy organizations and a desire to learn about nonprofits.

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

Task and detailed oriented.

Capable of working independently and as a member of a small team.

Interest in professional growth and participating in learning opportunities.

Spanish speaking skills a plus.

WHAT’S THE COMMITMENT?

CLA interns commit to 15-25 hours of work per week dedicated to one of the focus areas below. Hours are flexible pending approval from your focus-area organization leader.

Program runs on a semester schedule: January – May (Spring), June – August (Summer), and September – December (Fall).

WHAT ARE THE PERKS?

Unlimited coffee, invites to social events with loads of free food, and plenty of CLA swag to show off your new allegiance to your friends & family.

Access to weekly professional development programs at the Literacenter.

QUESTIONS?

Q: Do CLA interns get paid?

A: CLA internships are unpaid, but we will work together to build projects that will further your learning and give you tangible professional take-aways to use in your career.

Q: Can I take this internship for academic credit?

A: Yes! We are happy to submit any materials required for receiving academic credit. Applicants seeking credit are responsible for submitting necessary information and fulfillment requirements to CLA.

Q: Where would I work?

A: You’ll get exclusive access to the coolest book-inspired coworking spot in Chicago, the Literacenter — located in the heart of the bustling West Loop and close to public transportation at the Clinton Green line L stop and the Ogilvie Metra station.

Q: What’s the time commitment?

A: 15-25 hours a week for about 11-18 weeks (length of internship varies by semester).

Q: Can you accommodate my flexible schedule?

A: Yes! Depending on the focus area you choose, most schedules are accommodating within the regular work week (M-F, 9:00 am – 5:30 pm).

Q: How do I apply for an internship?

A: Just fill out the online application on this page. Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis. To be considered in our first round of interviews for the spring 2018 application, please submit your application before December 4, 2017.

Q: What can I expect during the interview process?

A: After we receive your application, you’ll receive a short task to complete, which can be done from the comfort of your own home (or your favorite library, school, or coffee shop)! The task will relate to some of the common functions you’ll be asked to complete as part of your internship. The next step will be a short phone interview with the Internship Manager to assess your interests and answer any questions. The last step will be an in-person interview with your potential future organization leader.

Q: How can I get answers to a question not listed on this page?

MEMBERSHIP & OUTREACH

This intern supports the Membership Manager withmember prospect research, data collection, and daily administrative tasks. The CLA has a membership base of over 100+ literacy organizations and more than 600 community members. The membership intern will be an integral part of the membership enrollment process and will get hands-on experience working with Salesforce and data entry. This position will also play a vital role in collecting, inputting, and sharing out data for the CLA member’s program database, Literaseek. This internship is particularly relevant for students with a strong research background and detail-oriented work skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Drive (Docs, Sheets), and WordPress is preferred. There will also be opportunities to craft your own semester-long concentration projects based on your interest.

PROGRAMS

This intern supports the Program Director and the Membership Manager with regular program administration and operational support of our 20+ monthly programming events. The program intern will support program administration functions including outreach, committee work, operational support, and program evaluation. Interns should be interested in program development for both nonprofit professional development opportunities as well as education and literacy-focused trainings. This internship is particularly relevant for students working towards a degree in teaching, education, nonprofit administration, social work, or public policy. There will also be opportunities to craft your own semester-long concentration projects based on your interest.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

This intern supports the Operations Director with a variety of IT related projects at our exceptionally fun, non-traditional, shared workspace environment. An ideal candidate will have a strong interest in helping support and educate others who are less technically inclined. Creative, service-minded individuals who enjoy meeting new people and helping them with simple to moderate software needs will fit in quite well. Everyday support needs could include helping users gain access to wifi, assisting guests with printing, updating meeting room workstations, managing our wireless network and supporting internal team needs. Candidates should be pursuing a minor or major in information technology or be CompTIA A+ certified. Proficiency in Apple OS X is a plus. There will also be opportunities to craft your own semester-long concentration projects based on your interests.

EVENTS

This intern supports the Community Manager with vendor research, event setup and teardown, evaluation of event needs, and other daily tasks related to the event logistics at the Literacenter. With more than a dozen conference rooms and event spaces, the Literacenter hosts a wide array of events. This position will provide the intern with firsthand experience planning, coordinating, and executing 100-200 person events as well as a variety of smaller, regular meetings and social functions. Students with an interest in the logistical end of fundraising or who wish to pursue a career in event planning within the nonprofit industry would find this experience very beneficial. There will also be opportunities to craft your own semester-long concentration projects based on your interest.

COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING

This intern supports the Communications Manager in implementing the CLA’s marketing/communications strategy that engages the CLA community, its followers and the general public. There will also be opportunities to learn about media outreach, pitching and networking, plus the chance to produce original content that highlights the CLA and its 120+ member organizations. This position is perfect for those interested in gaining more experience in strategic communications, media relations and writing. Proficiency in writing, social media, and creating media lists is preferred, and having a background or experience in communications, journalism or marketing is a plus. The communications and marketing intern will also have the chance to craft semester-long concentration projects based on his/her interest.

DEVELOPMENT

This intern supports the Development Coordinator with foundation research, special events, CRM management, associate board meetings, and more. This internship is particularly relevant for students with a strong research background and detail-oriented work skills. Students planning a career in the nonprofit industry would benefit greatly from this experience. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Drive (Docs, Sheets), and Salesforce is preferred. There will also be opportunities to craft your own semester-long concentration projects based on your interest.

FINANCE

The purpose of the finance internship is to expose the intern not only to the daily workings of a not for profit accounting department, but also the larger financial issues and responsibilities an NP encounters. This will be accomplished through a combination of typical, ongoing accounting activities as well as special projects. On a daily basis, the Finance Intern will assist with bookkeeping activities such as preparing journal entries, processing accounts receivable and accounts payable, account reconciliation and cash management. Special projects the role may be involved in include researching financial and human resource issues, staff training in accounting policies and procedures, cost benefits analyses and financial modeling. There will also be opportunities to craft your own semester-long concentration projects based on your interest.

VIDEO & GRAPHIC DESIGN

This intern supports the Creative Director and Communications Manager in implementing the CLA’s marketing/communications strategy through video and design. This internship will be integral to CLA’s video production and creative marketing projects, giving the intern the opportunity to produce original content that highlights and promotes the CLA. This position is perfect for those interested in gaining more experience in visual communications and film production. Proficiency in video production and editing software is required, and photography experience is a plus. There will also be opportunities to craft your own semester-long concentration projects based on your interest.